Syracuse, N.Y. -- The state Health Department issued a statement today warning that the use of synthetic marijuana is an emerging public health threat.

Synthetic marijuana consists of plant material coated by chemicals that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, according to the department. These products are being sold as a “legal alternative” to marijuana in convenience stores, smoke shops and tobacco stores with brand names such as “Spice”, “K2”, “Blaze” and “Red Dawn X.”

“These substances are a threat to public health and need to be removed from commercial sale and distribution in New York. Health care providers need to be aware of this threat,” state health commissioner Dr. Nirav R. Shah said in a prepared statement.

Calls to New York State poison control centers regarding use of these products have grown exponentially over the last two years, according to the department. Health officials in New York recently linked two deaths to the use of synthetic marijuana.

Synthetic marijuana is widely abused by teenagers and young adults. A recent study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse revealed that more than 11 percent of all high school students used synthetic marijuana within the past year. Side effects of use include rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, confusion, hallucinations and renal failure.

The state Health Department has sent out an alert about the dangers of synthetic marijuana to hospital emergency departments, county health officials and health care providers throughout the state.